Afghan firing line for Greek forces?
A proposal by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan foresees the transfer of a 122-strong Greek construction battalion (TESAF) from the northwestern province of Herat, which is considered relatively safe, to Farah, in the country’s west, which is the site of frequent suicide bombings by the Taliban, military sources have told Kathimerini. According to the same sources, the Greek Defense Ministry has said that it has not approved the transfer, noting that it was proposed when the previous conservative government had been in power. According to the proposal, reportedly put forward by Italian troops leading the ISAF effort in Herat, there are no more major construction projects for TESAF in the province and the Greek contingent’s contribution is needed in Farah. In the event that TESAF is transferred, the battalion would be be boosted with an additional 20 officers, bringing the total size of the contingent to 142. The project that TESAF would undertake in Farah, according to sources, would be the construction of a military camp for ISAF forces there, currently being accommodated in prefabricated buildings and other temporary accommodation. A parallel proposal by NATO for Greek troops to take over the management of Kabul’s international airport next March, as they did between December 2005 and March 2006, would result in the total number of Greek officers in Afghanistan increasing to 300. NATO’s new proposal reportedly foresees Greece taking over at the airport for a year rather than six months.
